18 Floors Above the Apocalypse novel Chapter 619

Rosie was the definition of hardworking, sweeping through the yard with a vigor that left not a single leaf behind.

Stella's place, Arcadia, still had those charming old touches like an evergreen wreath and twinkling fairy lights, but the time to show them off hadn’t come yet.

Lunch was a quick, no-frills affair, just enough to refuel before diving back into the hustle of the day.

Dinner, though, was a big deal, served unusually early at around five, without the usual fireworks and crackers.

Stella rolled out the TV, having already copied the New Year's Special to a USB.

The dining table was loaded with a feast fit for a king, shared by five people and ten dogs, turning the place into a lively chaos.

Stella grabbed bottles of red and white wine. Daniel and his son-in-law went for the white, while the rest sipped on the red.

Cooper, ever the attention-seeker, barked loudly, demanding his share.

During the lively dinner, Vanessa brought up a sensitive topic, “Stella, you and Jasper aren’t getting any younger. Maybe it’s time to think about kids. It’d be great for your dad to have a grandchild to hold.”

Stella paused, then chuckled, “Let’s see what happens.”

“But really, sooner is better than later if you can,” Vanessa pressed. She had faith in the couple, knowing that despite the tough years, their health had remained intact, making it likely they could have children.

Unlike other women who had suffered severe health issues, some even losing their menstrual cycles, which required extensive and costly treatment to possibly restore. The government subsidized these treatments, but successful outcomes were rare, and the hope for pregnancy remained uncertain.

Daniel, ever the calm voice, chimed in, “After your sea expedition, you can think about it.”

Stella nodded, “We’ll cross that bridge when we get there.”

In truth, Stella wasn’t against the idea of having kids, especially now that the world was stabilizing and her relationship with Jasper was rock solid. But with their current mission still unfinished, family plans could wait.

After dinner, the family relaxed with some fruit and watched the New Year’s gala.

The dogs, having gnawed their bones to their satisfaction, either fell asleep or sat in front of the TV, barking excitedly at the vibrant scenes.

Outside, Poppy knocked on the door, inviting Rosie to the town square to watch the New Year’s celebrations.

Thanks to the special salvage team’s last trip, they had a treasure trove of entertainment electronics, now ready to light up the square with movies and music—a find that had the government officials grinning widely.

Rosie and Poppy, being close in age and interests, naturally bonded.

Rosie, mindful of their different backgrounds, chose to wear a simple tracksuit, even though her sister-in-law had given her many beautiful dresses.

Poppy, on the other hand, wore a new dress she had sewn herself with fabric bought from the center mall, using her hard-earned credits.

Seeing Rosie's casual outfit, Poppy shyly remarked, “Rosie, it’s New Year’s, a time for new beginnings. Why not dress up a bit?”

Rosie linked arms with her, “Comfort is key.”

They knew about the copper and iron mines located far from Griffith, signaling a future of growth.

To advance, they needed pioneers ready to leave the comforts of Griffith for the uncharted wastelands.

Daniel’s vision was bold—to establish six cities under Griffith’s governance, transforming it into a capital city. A risky but necessary move for the nation’s rebirth.

The appointment of city mayors was Daniel’s responsibility, and all were top military brass. The decision on who would govern where was made by drawing lots.

If anyone was reluctant, Daniel wouldn’t force them, simply appointing someone else.

The governance approach could either replicate Griffith’s model or be independently devised.

Those following Griffith’s model could start training their government teams in advance.

Among the six appointed leaders, Nicholas stood out.

Bran mentioned that Nicholas looked like he had swallowed a chicken bone; his expression was sour.

Stella could empathize; the decision surely put him in a tough spot.

To refuse would defy the essence of military duty, which is obedience. With all other generals agreeing, a refusal from him would look bad and could result in his command being stripped as his soldiers were reassigned.

On the other hand, accepting meant starting from scratch. It was a whole new ballgame.